Dual selection of Beauveria bassiana strains and complex substrate media for the massive production of submerged propagules with activity against the eucalyptus bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus.

ABSTRACT. The bronze bug Thaumastocoris peregrinus is an invasive pest, affecting Eucalyptus plantations worldwide. Although its natural enemy Cleruchoides noackae has been tested for the biological control of this pest, other strategies like the use of native entomopathogenic fungi are needed. For this, native virulent fungal isolates should be selected, massively multiplied in an efficient way, and prepared to obtain a stable product. Isolates of native Beauveria bassiana obtained from T.